The thrill of victory... and the agony of defeat

In Virginia if the margin of victory in an election is within .5%, the loser may request a recount.

Over the past three years Virginia has had three races that have fallen within the .5% margin of victory.

2005

Initial reults reported Bob McDonnell defeated Creigh Deeds in the race for Attorney General's race by 323 votes.

2006

Jim Webb defeated incumbent senator, George Allen, by 9,000 votes out of over 2 million votes cast, a margin of victory of about .45 %

2007

After the canvassing was completed in the race for Virginia's 37th senate district, Ken Cuccinelli was still leading Janet Olsezek by 92 votes, a margin of .2%.

So what's the point of all these boring numbers? I just want to take a moment to point out who it was that called for recounts. Only the Democrats can't handle being defeated. Creigh Deeds dragged the state through a recount, and spent thousands of taxpayers dollars to make sure we counted everyone's vote. When the recount finally ended in the middle of December, Bob McDonnell's margin of victory actually increased by thirty seven votes. In 2006 with control of the senate hanging on t outcome of his senate race, George Allen chose not to drag the state, and the country, through a recount. He waited to see the results of the canvass, and then stepped out in front of the cameras, thanked his supporters for all their work, thanked teh state for electing him before, and then conceeded. Now in 2007 after the canvass was completed, Janet Olsezek, or was it her campaign manager, has called for a recount in one of the closest VA state senate races ever.

But why would Janet pull the people she wants through a recount and spend thousands of taxpayers dollars on this? Is there anything to indicate that the recount could change the outcome of the election? No. The canvassing changed nothing, and the provisional ballots actually gave Ken one more vote. No concrete accusation of voter fraud have been leveled. So why cal for a recount unless you simply can't stand losing?

While many things can be learned from George Allen's senate race, one lesson is when you have lost, be willing to concede. The only to call for a recount would be if there are serious instances of voting fraud, like more votes cast in a county than its registered voters. Virginia has never had major voter fraud, and there has never been a real reason to call for a recount. Anyone that loses a close race should have the courae to concede.

Memo to Democrat candidates: While defeat is agonizing, don't be too shocked if you lose while running against the rising conservative stars in Virginia.

So What do you say in a moment like this...?

What do you do when you pour your heart for something and do everything you can to make something happen, and your cause fails or what you were trying to make happen doesn't?

It's somthing I've struggled with as someone who spent a lot of time in debate and as a political junkie in VA.

The only thing you can do is to trust Him, but boy is it tough especially when you lay it all out there.

Is it really inevitable?

WSLS and Jay Warren once again proved they were very balance journalists. For someone who was thinking that it is almost inevitable that Mark Warner will become sentaor, this stry realy made me smile.

Warner to Announce Decision on Senate Run Thursday

Jay Warren

WSLS NewsChannel 10

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Will he or won't he? Mark Warner can stop sweating it, as he will announce his decision about his future political career Thursday morning in an e-mail to supporters.

And, what a tough decision Mark Warner has! On the one hand he can run in 2008 to replace John Warner in the US Senate. On the other hand he can run in 2009 for another term as governor. Either option is viable because Warner left the governor’s mansion with some of the highest approval ratings in Virginia history.

And, that’s a rating that appears to have stuck with him. A recent poll by Rasmussen Research shows Warner’s favorability rating at 68%. The same poll has Warner beating the two most likely Republican senate challengers by 20 and 27 points.

Governor Tim Kaine, the Democrat who succeeded Warner, gave no hint on his friend’s decision other than to say, “Virginia will be lucky either way.”

WSLS Political Analyst Dr.Bob Denton says it is likely Warner will pick the Senate and calls him the favorite.

“He's one of the most popular politicians in the commonwealth of Virginia. He has some campaign experience now,” Denton said.

But not so fast. Do you remember the last guy we thought had a lock an election: Senator George Allen. At one point he was 30 points ahead in his 2006 re-election bid. He went on to lose to Democrat Jim Webb.

Allen was in Moneta Wednesday campaigning for a local Republican running for the House of Delegates. He said he won’t run for the Senate in ’08, but said, “I think Mark's going to run for the US Senate.”

Allen was brought down in part thanks to a campaign misstep that ended up on YouTube. The Internet has changed the game for politicians, meaning Warner shouldn't take anything for granted.

“He does have to campaign and campaign hard,” Dr. Denton said. “He has to earn the position. But, at the same time I would say it's as much his to lose and his to win.”

My Thoughts on the Resignation of Alberto Gonzalez

It is sad the Democrats are able to pick off the president's cabinet members at will, however...

Gonzales was incompetent and needed to go. The issue of firing the attorney's was such a non issue, and should have staid a non issue. When Gonzales was questioned he gave such vague and contradictory answers that he made sure the isue kept going. The Attorney General needs to be able to articulately defend his and the president's decisions on the Sunday tv show circuit, and in Senate committee hearings. Gonzalez could not.

Not only is Gonzales a pitiful defender of the president, he's wrong on the issues. He's pro-choice, and doesn't get it on illegal immigration. Personally I've never been impressed by Alberto Gonzales, and I'm glad he's finally gone.

My only regret on the issue is that it took the president so long to do it.

And your American League All Star Team MVP is...

Tony Larussa

His managerial blunder at the All Sar Game was reminiscent of Grady Little's failure to yank Pedro during the 2003 ALCS.

After talking all week about how badly he wanted to win this game, he let Putz and K-Rod get away with their poor performances.

Bottom of the ninth two outs the National League is down by one run and has men on first and second. The next two batters are Orlando Hudson, and Aaron Rowand. Also, in a strategic decision Tony Larussa decided to hold Albert Pujols (one of the best hitters in the game) back as a reserve infielder in case the game went to extra innings.

Why doesn't Tony Larussa pinch hit Albert Pujols for either Hudson, or Rowand? Pujols is obviously the best of the three hitters. As it turned out K-Rod walked Hudson and induced a flyout to right from Rowand and the AL won its tenth All Star Game in a row.